Wednesday, October 11, 2017

First, we're going to make a few changes to how we're structuring the Alt★Hero stories. Mr. Dixon and I have had the chance to work out how we are dividing the storytelling responsibilities, and essentially, I'm going to go wide while he's going to go deep. What that means is that while I'm building and describing the world through the initial six volumes, Mr. Dixon is going to be building and describing the central city of the Alt★Hero mythos, which he has named Avalon, as well as its regular inhabitants.

Avalon is our Gotham, and it is a major U.S. metropolis. Beyond that, I know very little and I'll be looking forward to learning more about it just like everyone else. We've also decided to separate the stories into two lines, although we'll be working in parallel and in more or less the same time frames, with certain characters, such as Soulsight, who will be appearing in both series. What that means is that Mr. Dixon will not be working on Alt★Hero Vols. VII, VIII, and IX per se, but rather, on the Alt★Hero series Avalon Vols. I, II, and III. That's just a working title, of course, and we may end up naming his main series after one of the characters he creates, but you get the point.

Jonathan Cooper, also known as Soulsight, is one of our first backer-created heroes. He has a powerful ability, but one that takes a tremendous toll on him and would render him of extreme interest to every government and international agency that knew of his existence. This is why he keeps to the shadows and prefers to keep his contact with individuals he does not know and trust to the barest minimum possible. But he is a core member of the loose collection of American vigilantes that includes Michael Martel, Ghostdancer, and Rebel, and could even be considered the most important member because he serves as its collective conscience.

"We are all damned. It's just that most of you don't realize it yet."
- Jonathan Cooper

And yes, this division of storytelling responsibilities means that Mr. Dixon and I intend to continue working on this together beyond the initial nine volumes. We will add a stretch goal at the 200k mark that would unlock Avalon Vols. IV, V, and VI. That's very ambitious, of course, but we already have a fair amount of work to do and I have no intention of Star Citizening this creation. If you're not already one of the 1,133 backers of Alt★Hero, I invite you to join this important new incursion into SJW-held territory.

We cannot win the culture war by playing defense. And not every drive into every converged ground will be successful. But they must be attempted regardless.

Also, I sent out the following press release to over 200 members of the media.

Alt★Hero Raises $100k to Fight Diversity and Inclusivity in Comics

After reaching its initial funding goal in only four hours, a new right-wing comic series, Alt★Hero, exceeded the rare $100,000 mark in just 12 days, with more than 1,000 backers signing on to help the alternative comic wage cultural war on the social justice-converged comic duopoly of Marvel and DC Comics. It is being written by prolific Marvel and DC Comics veteran writer Chuck Dixon and six-time Hugo Award Finalist Vox Day.

The series is the creation of bestselling political philosopher and controversial game designer Day, who is best known for being a member of GamerGate and disrupting the annual science fiction awards. Alt★Hero features unconventional villains such as Captain Europa of the Global Justice Initiative and potentially incendiary heroes such as Michael Martel, a vigilante who drops off criminal undocumented immigrants at the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, and Rebel, an Southern girl whose superhero outfit incorporates the Confederate battle flag.

"Everyone hates what Marvel has become," said Alt★Hero creator Vox Day, who is writing six volumes of the series. "Their declining sales prove that no one wants to buy comics written by social justice warriors, especially when they feature absurdities like She-Thor spouting feminist talking points, an affirmative-action Ironman who can do no wrong, or a black, lesbian, HIV-positive refugee Batman in a wheelchair writing virtue-signaling poetry on Facebook. We're bringing back real heroes, real villains, and real action, and we're going to give the readers great stories instead of preaching social justice at them."

Legendary comic writer Chuck Dixon, the longtime Batman writer and co-creator of Bane, who is writing the first three volumes of the Alt★Hero series Avalon, said, "These guys get me and I get them. Escapist entertainment, big outrageous ideas and all built on a foundation of principles that rejects the gloomy, preachy, bitterness of post-modern comics."

The reaction to the announcement of Alt★Hero was decidedly mixed. While support has been strong on the right side of the ideological spectrum, left-wing comics fans denounced the new comic on Twitter and other social media platforms. "As awful as you’d expect," reported LGBTQ Nation. "Vox Day is literally to the right of Genghis Khan, with two feet planted firmly in the Reichstag... the type of punk-ass feeb whose jaw Batman was born to break," declared Jason Yungbluth, a cartoonist for MAD Magazine.

Some comics fans even declared on Twitter that Jack Kirby, the revered, but pugnacious artist for Marvel and DC Comics, would beat Day to death were he still alive.

Day dismissed the criticism. "It's nothing more than the usual social justice emoting. I promised the backers that the SJWs' angry shrieks of protest would be heard from space; my only concern is that they may have been loud enough to alert a hostile alien race to our existence."

After 12 days, the Alt★Hero crowdfunding campaign currently stands at $102,156.00 raised from 1,133 backers, more than 4 times its original $25,000 goal. Less than one percent of all crowdfunding campaigns ever reach the $100,000 mark; 18 days still remain in the controversial new comic's campaign.

UPDATE: I'm confident he'll cover this news objectively.

Rob Salkowitz‏I just received a bonkers press release from a project claiming to be proudly AGAINST social justice in comics. WTF is wrong with people?

101 Comments:

I get the feeling that Soulsight is our Noir/Capt. Reynolds/Gruff Drinker archetype. Which is someone that shows up in every society, so it's natural to show up in stories like this. Also brings up the thorny issue that most Comic Books always want to overlook: any sort of Telepath would be hunted down captured or killed. No society would allow them to operate freely.

I get the feeling that Soulsight is our Noir/Capt. Reynolds/Gruff Drinker archetype.

He's noir, but definitely not Captain Reynolds. Chuck was interested in him immediately because of the tragic aspects of his power. The mere fact that he can survive it is testimony to both his character and his strength of will.

The semi hit piece press release is gold. And already a spin-off series; diverse and progressive. It's a good idea, as I think the Alt*Hero name will date, unless it's seen as a publishing house in it's own right (like Marvel/DC). So perhaps Avalon will be the first of many comics, and because of the amazing support from all the backers we are now going to have two First Editions. Well done all.

If you've received death or rape threats, especially to point of being concerned in your home or business, you should consider making the press aware.

I've been getting them since 2001. I can assure you, the press does not care even a little bit if you're not a) a woman or b) a left-leaning celebrity.

I make do with Ridgebacks, a good relationship with the local police, a variety of weapons, and faith in God. And considering that I survived my idiot twenties, I'm confident that I have a seriously massive stud for a guardian angel.

VD wrote:I get the feeling that Soulsight is our Noir/Capt. Reynolds/Gruff Drinker archetype.

He's noir, but definitely not Captain Reynolds. Chuck was interested in him immediately because of the tragic aspects of his power. The mere fact that he can survive it is testimony to both his character and his strength of will.

Assuming his power is literally what his name is. That would be both useful and horrifying depending on who you gaze upon.

I make do with Ridgebacks, a good relationship with the local police, a variety of weapons, and faith in God. And considering that I survived my idiot twenties, I'm confident that I have a seriously massive stud for a guardian angel.

That guardian angel thing is actually an interesting concept for a story.

I don't know if it's known here but Jason Yungbluth is the creator of Clarissa, a comic that literally makes light of pedophilia, incest, and rape. Link (venture at your own peril): http://www.whatisdeepfried.com/2001/01/01/clarissa-ruins-thanksgiving/

SJWADD reads like a really good documentary film. As I'm reading it I can picture it all playing out in my head because the narration is that good and the subject matter is fascinating, I see interviews, pictures of your family church in different stages of conversion, animations explaining SJW convergence, something to consider, just saying.

I guess I'm behind on some things, as I'm not a big Hollywood supporter, so almost never watch movies. I read, and Dresden, in the "Dresden Files" books, actually has the power to see deeply into others souls, whether there are supernatural forces there, or just the typical good vs critter people. He can either look or not though, so different.

I guess I'm behind on some things, as I'm not a big Hollywood supporter, so almost never watch movies. I read, and Dresden, in the "Dresden Files" books, actually has the power to see deeply into others souls, whether there are supernatural forces there, or just the typical good vs critter people. He can either look or not though, so different.

Constantine it is, I'll give a nod to the Hollywood supporters.

BTW, my favorite section of "Law Dogs," was the small chapter where he says, "There is a monster inside of us all." Kind of goes along with the quote from SoulSight. Anyone who prays a lot tends to know that, with exceptions.

Clarissa doesn't make light of child tape and incest. It's clearly depicted as something horrible and highly damaging for the lead character. The insidious thing about the strip is that it attacks the family, especially traditional families led by a strong, white father by implying that they probably have dark secrets like pedophilia.

Yes, marco is correct. It may look like the intent is to use it as a cheap joke by just looking at that comic, but when you read a few more, it becomes clear that it's really an attack at the nuclear family, and create the instinct in the reader that if he sees something that looks wholesome, then it's probably just to hide something REALLY evil under the surface.

Brick Hardslab wrote:Constantine is a comics character. DC I think. I always thought of him as a working class guy.

Ha! Yeah, 95% of the people who have heard about Constantine got it from... DC comics?? And, and K.Reeves had little to do with people knowing about him? Okay, sure, you're correct.

Well, I admit, this is my first time back into comics since I was 13, so Alt*Hero has me interested now.

But, Dresden has been in 16 full size novels, a couple of shorts, and, and a graphic novel or two. Besides, I think Reeves will turn out to be just like all the rest of the Hollywood freaks, and he made Constantine known to a much bigger public, so I am just prejudice.

1. Exchange the cigarette for a flask2. Exchange blond hair for dark hair. (Movie adaptation used Keanu Reeves with dark hair)3. Different last name, but still "JC".4. Same pessimistic, snarky attitude given that quote.

John Constantine is probably one of the best written characters in DC's universe. The backer must also be a fan, however it might be worth making it a tad less obvious.

Markku wrote:Yes, marco is correct. It may look like the intent is to use it as a cheap joke by just looking at that comic, but when you read a few more, it becomes clear that it's really an attack at the nuclear family, and create the instinct in the reader that if he sees something that looks wholesome, then it's probably just to hide something REALLY evil under the surface.

Yes, the jerk, Jason, is deconstructing Western Civilization values, by of course, projecting his Leftist values onto the family. It's kind of a 1/100 truth, because if you looked hard you can find examples, but not often looking his example. Jason and his followers actually have those values...as in the majority of them.

This is looking more and more awesome by the minute. I'm very excited to hear of Avalon; made-up cities that are just as iconic as the superheroes themselves are one of the reasons I've always preferred DC to Marvel.

1. Exchange the cigarette for a flask2. Exchange blond hair for dark hair. (Movie adaptation used Keanu Reeves with dark hair)3. Different last name, but still "JC".4. Same pessimistic, snarky attitude given that quote.

John Constantine is probably one of the best written characters in DC's universe. The backer must also be a fan, however it might be worth making it a tad less obvious.

It's merely a coincidence to the best of my knowledge. He's not snarky at all, quite the opposite.

That is a lot of coincidences. I'm hoping the backer isn't trolling you in some way. If the quote is from them, might want to reference it to make sure its not actually something taken from a Constantine/Hellblazer comic. Via twitter you mentioned how they are being creative, but if its too close to Constantine as a character... that might provide SJWs with more ammo (not that it will be effective), which I hope is not the backers intent. They could just be a fan.

That said, I love Constantine as a character, generally he tends to fly under the radar when it comes to mainstream comics. The character is worth looking into, especially if its to avoid further comparisons.

To be fair DC, Marvel, and Image have always had parodies of each others' characters: Sentry is a parody of Superman, Huntress/Green Arrow a parody of Hawkeye, The Midnighter a parody of Batman, Savage Dragon a parody of Hulk, Lobo a parody of Wolverine, and so on. For more see: http://www.the-fanboy-perspective.com/comic-book-characters-their-counterparts-and-who-came-first.html

Some of these parody characters, like Lobo, have become quite popular over the years making them more than just a hit-piece on the competition.

Other characters, like The Midnighter, solely exist because the creators wanted to do a Batman story but didn't have the rights to the IP so they had to improvise.

That is a lot of coincidences. I'm hoping the backer isn't trolling you in some way.

Not really. It's not as if the backer simply hands me a picture and a list of powers and we're done. His original vision was very different. This is something we worked out together in detail; for example, his hair is not dark because of Keanu Reeves, but because he is one-quarter Japanese, since his parents met in the post-WWII military occupation of Japan.

And you don't even know what Soulsight's power is or how it operates. Having read up on Constantine, I can assure you that it has literally nothing to do with Constantine's sorcerous abilities. But more importantly, Constantine is a trickster and a con artist bargaining with devils. Soulsight is absolutely nothing like him.

If you have the ability to see a person's sin and know their crimes - large and small - what a horrible power.The dark red underlying stripe of original sin.All the petty crimes of childhood.Not being able to look at a person without seeing it all.Of course, the utility to a superhero of the big, fresh, new crimes on the soul is obvious. So obvious that it would be a sin in and of itself to deny the gift.

@Ingot9455, well the presence of sin would imply that Christ reality governs this world as it does ours. When Christians are saved their sins are blotted out, that being said, how can Soul Sight see the sins of those who's sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus. He must just see them like covered in blood or something like that, just saying.

Please pass on my amazed, delighted, and grateful congratulations to the 'father' (I assume it's a guy? Forgive me, "mom," if it's not!) of Soulsight! Just the wee tidbits of info shared here make him SO attractive; I can't wait to learn his story and see what he does! FANtastic!!

#ComicGate is shaping up to be Gamergate all over again. There is a Comic Artist who is now doing a Bob Ross style show on YouTube, Ethan Van Sciever, who is getting cry-bullied by some of the Marvel Folks including Dan Slott. Someone was tweeting fairly direct threats at Sciever yesterday, and Slott was trying to shame/bully Sciever for his associations.

Probably the same sort of folks who are trying to call Chuck Dixon a "Nazi" now.

The Social Justice Jihadi's just won't stop - they parasite everything, and try to stamp out any dissent or differing opinion - like they are some sort of Cultist weirdoes.

Sciever looks like a legitimately decent principled person:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqTEk86a0qY

I don't think some of the decent folks have realized the SJWs are never going to stop.

I have one of those, first gen model. Also a 20wsx and handful of Intuos pro tablets. I was not impressed with the 13HD tablets, if the goal is to draw on a screen... just save up for the 22hd, otherwise stick to a normal tablet. Just some friendly advice coming from experience. I find myself using a normal tablet over the cintiqs I own 90% of the time.

I have one of those, first gen model. Also a 20wsx and handful of Intuos pro tablets. I was not impressed with the 13HD tablets, if the goal is to draw on a screen... just save up for the 22hd, otherwise stick to a normal tablet. Just some friendly advice coming from experience. I find myself using a normal tablet over the cintiqs I own 90% of the time.

If he's ever looking to go professional, you're probably right. On the other hand, if he's saving up for a $1K model $25 is throw away money in comparison and he could be drawing in the meantime.

Unfortunately, that is probably $25 thrown away. The drawing area of those tablets is too small, whether pro or fan art. You usually need a 6x9 (ok) or a 9x12 (better) to effectively map to the screen.

The $169 investment while saving for a touch-sensitive monitor is best if you want to get going with drawing quickly and not be frustrated with the experience.

Concur with Raben Wolf that the tablet beats the monitor, hands down. I'd recommend buying the 9x11 for $169, get used to the feel, draw up a storm, then later on try out a monitor (if available) before purchasing.

Been busy as hell recently, but wanted to drop in and offer my sincerest congratulations, Vox. When you first announced it, Alt Hero sounded like a good idea, but $100,000 proves that it's a great one. Getting a highly respected, accomplished veteran like Dixon on board is even better.

Also, that is one legitimately awesome press release. You're clearly getting better and better at them.

I'm so glad Vox & Co. are doing this AltHero project. I grew up on comics and hate what they've become. Years ago I tried to look into alternatives to DC and Marvel. I heard that Frank Frazetta worked with a small company started by Glenn Danzig, so I checked them out. Literally satanic porn nonsense.

@89 "I have one of those, first gen model. Also a 20wsx and handful of Intuos pro tablets. I was not impressed with the 13HD tablets, if the goal is to draw on a screen... just save up for the 22hd, otherwise stick to a normal tablet."

Thanks for the advice. I will consider that one instead.

@96 "Years ago I tried to look into alternatives to DC and Marvel."

Do you like anime/manga? Masterpieces like Berserk, Hunter x Hunter or Attack on Titan are better than most comics out there.